The Malady Codex: The Guide to Diseases

ou can now create your OWN diseases with the Malady Workshop!

This supplement is written by medical students with a love for tabletop roleplaying games. Inspired by the vast array of diseases, and the medieval myths that once surrounded them, we embarked on a mission; to enrich other worlds with fantastical diseases.

Deep in each civilization’s roots, there are myths, remedies, and folklore, all revolving around the ailments that affect its people. When each Dungeon Master wants to expand on the details of the societies that unfold before their very eyes, tools that spice up the process become a vital weapon. This supplement will hopefully become one of them, as DMs become inspired by the grim, epic or mundane conditions of the human body and mind.

Do not underestimate diseases. Part of the Dungeon Master’s art is to be able to stir feelings up in their players, and few human conditions could accomplish that better. Used as a way to advance a storyline, to expand a character arc or to create conflict, the following stories can serve you well!

In this book, you'll find 11 fully detailed diseases, including:

The Druid's Curse, The Mad Mage's Virus, the Mindflayer Network, Talona's Curse and the infamous ISTD.

Details on the origins, symptoms, and cures for all these maladies.

Tips on how to implement each one in your games, making your life just a bit easier.

New NPCs, monsters and items to challenge and reward your players with.

A useful table to consult when deciding what specific spells affect what disease.

A visual representation chart of the progression of the Mad Mage's Virus.

"This makes want to roll up a character whose reason for adventuring is to find out everything there is to know about these diseases." - Marcus Santos, editor.

"If you are looking for a believable way to integrate diseases into your campaign, you cannot do better than the Malady Codex." - DM Dango, reviewer

"... this codex is an interesting, useful, and fun way to add a bit of grit into your campaign." - DMLevelUp, reviewer

"Disease and pestilence are as much a part of D&D as anything else, yet few would dare create an entire supplemental guide exploring new and virulent maladies." - Eric Watson, reviewer

"If you use this supplement sparingly and effectively your players will talk about it for years to come." NZS Games, reviewer

Give your worlds a touch of fantastical realism and watch as your players dive deep into the stories you create with these tools!

For thrilling adventures from the authors, check out the following adventures: King to an Empty City, where the exploration of a city devoid of life leads up to an epic battle with its king! The Encounter with the Edan Sha, a free encounter against a ruthless gang of thieves and their Helmed Horror. The Necromanteion, an innovative Dungeon Crawl based on the archeological findings of the homonymous Ancient Greek Temple. The Storm King's Barrows, a collection of 10 unique, exciting adventures set in the North.

Organization was excellent and the adaptation of real diseases helps. I would love to see this expanded to more unusual diseases (e.g. Kuru) or parasites like flukes or worms.
The diseases cover a significant range which allows something for any campai [...]

This is a well written, well thought out supplement. It gives you everything you need to introduce some sort of plague or contagion into your game. Excellent. Be prepared to look up a few medical terms though. [...]

I've read a few of the diseases and skimmed the rest but so far I love this. As a nurse I see so many different types of diseases, and being able to bring these (And ones I'm going to make for my world) opens up new issues players have to face. [...]

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